Pencil



March v19, 1929. .1. E. MAcKAY mmcn.

Filed March 19, 1928 arroz/Veri ample in the accompanying drawings, in. v

cil.

Patntecl-'Mar. 19, 1929,

UNr-:D STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH E. MACKAY, OF LOS ANGELES, GAII'JITE'ORII'IA.l

v PENCDZ.

Application filed March 19, 1928. Serial o. 262,663.

This invention relates to a pencil structure,

and

particularly pertains to a refillable peno It is the principal object of the present .invention'to providea pencil adapted to receve separate leads which may be propelled within y the pencil and may be progressively projected from the point thereof as the lead is abraded. The structure is so designed asv to make it possible for the leads to be easily installed in operative relation to the pencil mechanism,

and to be propelled by the operator by manipulation as it is held in one hand and operated by the same hand,-the structure being decidedly inexpensive as to material and manufacturing cost` and possessing two parts not liable to get outlof order.

The invention is illustratedV by way of exwhich:

Fig. 1 isa view in side elevation showing the complete pencil as assembled. i y

Fig. 2 is a view in central longitudinal secJ tion through the pencilshowing the operatinomechanisms thereo I I ig. 3 `is af View in transverse section through the barrel of the pencil as seen on the line 3`-3of Fig. 2 and disclosing the lead mechanism.

Fig. V4 isa View in transverse section through the pencil as seen on the line 4-4 of Fig.,2, showing the propelling bar and the gear for operating the same.

Fig. 5 is 'a View, in transverse section through the pencil on the line 5-.-5 of Fig. 2,'

' showing the clutch mechanism'in detail.

lF ig. 6 is a view in perspective showing the lead clutch and propelling mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section and elevation showing a'modified form of thev invention.

Fig. 8 is a view in transverse section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7.

Referring more particularly tothe drawing 10 indicates 4the barrel of a pencil. This pencil is formed from tubular material and is Circular in .cross-section. The outer diameter at one end of the barrel s reduced as ndcated at 11,' to provide a bearing'srface for a tubular pencil 'point 12, which point abuts againstaeshoulder 13 formed on the barrel. The point 12 has a cylindrical portion fitting snugly around the reduced portion 11 of the barrel and continues in ahollow ltubular member of conical shape, the apex of which which a pencil lead 15 may be projected.

The lead 15 is mounted within a friction clutch k16. 'This clutch has a conical section agreeing in angularity with that of the point 12, and termina'tes in a cylindrical portion intended to fit snugly within the bore of the barrel 10.v The conical portion of the clutch 16 is formed with an opening in its. end to receive the lead 15, and the clutchcone is split along opposite sides as indicated at 17,'so that it will yieldably engage the lead and frictionally hold it in position.

I A stop pin 18 extends transversely' of the clutch cone at a point intermediate the ends thereof and against which pin the lead abuts so that it Will not be forced into the pencil by the action or pressure required in writing.

In order toV insure'that the cylindrical base portion of the clutch 16 will fit snugly Within -the bore of the barrel 10, it is split along diametrically opposite sides as indicated at 19, thus the clutch will be'firmly held and guided through the bore of the barrel and the lead Will always be held in an aligned position with the opening 14 of the point through which it is propelled.

Securely fastened to the clutch 16, or formed integral therewitl, is a propelling rack 20. This rack, as seen in Fig. 6 of the drawing, is formed with a plurality of peripheries 21, which are engaged' by teeth of' the propelling gear 22. The opposite sides of the rack are curved as indicated at 23 in Fig. 4 of the drawing, andthe intermediate portion of the rackis longitudinally vconvexed. This makes it possible for the propelling gear 22 to create a downward pressure upon the center of the rack, as indicated at a in Fig. 4, thus tending to straighten the center of the rack and to force its outer curved edges against the Wall of the barrel and in frictional contactv therewith. This insures that the parts at all times will be firmly held with relation to each other, and that there will be -no possibility for rattle or slippagc. The gear is mounted upon a pin 24 extending i throughthe barrel, as indicated in Fig. 4.

upon which the point is mounted is formed with a reduced section to receive a cap 25. This cap is frictionally held in place and normally covers an eraser 26 mounted within the end of the barrel. By removing 'the erase it is possible to gain access to a lead compa t- The opposite end of the barrel from that inent 2 7,- within wliich extra leads are placed.

- This compartment is formed by a metal paraframe member 31, which extends through' an openingin the side wall of the pencil barrel 10 and carries the pin 24 of the gear 22.

-This frame memberhas a flange 33-resting against the outer face of the barrel and is formed along opposite sides with outwardly flaring tangs 32, which are struck from the' sides of the metal and will yield as the device is forced through the opening in the barrel of lthe pencil, but will extend outwardly along opposite sides of the member 31, after it has been positioned through the barrel, as particularly shown in Fig. 8. It Will thus be evident that the tangs 32 will rigidly hold the gear in position and will thus make it .possible for the pencil tobe readily assembled without boring holes through the barrel wall to receive the lpin 24 of the gear 22, as was shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing.

In operation of the present invention, the Jpencil is assembled as shown, and' by removing the cap 12, a lead may be inserted in the end of the clutch 16,;and between the jaws thereof. The cap is then placed upon the barrel of the pencil and the propelling gearl 22 is'rotated. This can easily be accomplished 4`by the thumb of the hand Within which the pencil is grasped, since the gear will provide a friction surface over which the thumb of the operator may move and by which the gear will be rotated.

, It will be evident that this entire operation may be performed in one hand without the assistance of the other hand, thus making this a desirably convenient pencil to manipulate.v

' I and adjust.

When the propelling geaf22 hasbeen rop tated to project the lead 145 a desired distance beyond the end of the point 12, this operation may be discontinued, and the parts will remain in their adjusted position withoutv danger that sufficient tractionfwill be exerted upon the lead to force it into the pencil.

It will thus be seen that the structure here jdisclosed, while decidedly simple in its construction and operation, makes a highly desirable and eflieient pencil, involving.;a min- Vimum amount of material and labor.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, as nowv known to me, it will be understoodth-at various changes may be made in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts by those skilled inthe art without departingfrom the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters -Patent is l 1. pencil structure conprising a tubular barrel, a point in the.end thereof through which a lead may pass, a. clutch within the barrel to receive the lead, a gear rack secured to the clutch and extending longitudinally within the barrel and a gear projecting through the wall and adapted to rotate to manipulate'the rack and propel the lead.

2. A pencil structure comprising a tubular barrel, ``a hollow conical point on one cnd thereof having an opening through the apex. thereof, through which a lead may pass, ra clutch adapted to move longitudinally within the barrel and to frictionally engage a pencil lead; a bar secured at one end to the clutch and extending longitudinally within the barrel, a gear rack formed-by said bar, a gear pinion engaging the rack and with its peripheries extending' through a slotted opening in the side wall of the barrel, whereby rotation of the gear 'will reciprocate the rack a conical clutch within the barrel and projecting within said point, said clutch being adapted to frictionally engage a pencil lead, a. cylindrical end section formed as a part of said clutch and yieldably engaginglthe walls of the barrel, agear rack secured to the clutch andl extending longtudinally. within the barrel, a gear in mesh therewith and projecting through a slot in the side wall of the barrel and by rotation of which the clutch and its lead may be propelle'd.

4. A lead pencil comprising a tubular barrel, a hollow 'conical point mounted upon one end of said barrel, and having an opening in its apex through which a lead may project, a

conical clutch within the barrel and project- 1 ingl within ,said point, said clutch being adapted to frictionally engage a pencil lead, a cylindrical end section formed asa part' of said clutch and yieldably engaging the walls of the barrel, a gear rack secured to the clutch and extending longitudinally within the' barrel, said rack being of a width to engage opposite sides of the barrel, a gear in mesh therewith adapted to hold said rack in frietional engagement withtheA barrel and by 2 rotation of which said clutch will be propelled.

v5. A pm structure vcomfprising a tubular barrel, a hollow conical point on one, end

thereof, having an openin 'through pencil lead ymay be passed, a c'onical clutch for receiving the end of said lead, said clutch having a yieldable portion engaging the wall of the bore of the barrel to center the clutchv Within the barrel, a rack secured to said clutch and extending longitudinally, the longitudinal marginal edges of said rack being curved to engage and conform to the contour of the bore of the barrel upon opposite sides of the center thereof, the intel'- ncdiate portion of the rack being concaved longitudinally thereof, a gear mounted within the barrel and with its periphery extending through the side Wall of the barrel, said gear engaging the rack in a manner to tend to fiex the concave portion thereof and engage frictional engagei''ent of the edges of the rack with the. barrel, and Whereby rotation of the gear will move the rack longitudinally of the barrel.

6. A lead pencil conprising a tubular bar- .rel, a hollow conical point mounted upon one end of said barrel, and havin an opening in its apex through which a leadg may project, a conical clutch within the barrel and projecting Within said point, said clutch being adapted to frictionally engage a pencil lead, a cylindrical end section formed as a part of said clutch and yieldably engaging the walls of the barrel, a gear rack secured to the clutch and extending longitudinally within the barrel, said rack being of a width to engage. opposite sides of the barrel, a gear in nesh therewith adapted to hold said rack in frictional engagement with the barrel and by rotation of which said clutch will be propelled, and a fran'e nenber carrying said gear and adapted to be 'inserted through an 'opening in the barrel Wall and automatically interlocked thercwith.

JOSEPH E. MACKAY. 

